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Record Store Day enters its 10th year on Saturday as music lovers throughout Northeast Pennsylvania engage in the worldwide celebration by gathering at participating local record stores to buy and listen to music.

Joe Nardone Jr., co-owner of Gallery of Sound — which has locations in the Fashion Mall in Dickson City, Laurel Mall Strip Center in Hazleton and at 186 Mundy St. in Wilkes-Barre — has participated in the event since its inception and witnessed it change and grow over the years.

“The first year we only had a few (special releases). ... It’s blown up into a 300-release day for all different types of music,” Nardone said. “Some people find different things on the list and try to get a copy for themselves. It’s kind of evolved into a treasure hunt kind of day.”

Nardone believes there’s something for everybody. He noted that most of the day’s special releases are vinyls, but there also are a few CD and cassette releases. In addition to free items at stores, the day features merchandise releases, such as a “Star Wars”-themed turntable, while Record Store Day’s official beer, Dogfish Head, puts out a special compilation album.

Rare gems

“There’s a few things from the Cure, there’s a Grateful Dead release that’s never been out before, (and) there’s a Smiths special single that hasn’t been around in a long time,” Nardone said.

Additionally, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Gallery of Sound’s Mundy Street location, audiences can hear live music from Aaron Fink, Death Valley Dreams, Charles Havira, Rockology All Stars and Inner Temple. The morning and night feature vinyl DJs.

R.J. Harrington, owner of Embassy Vinyl, 352 Adams Ave., Scranton, also has participated in Record Store Day for the past decade. He said the event always creates a great atmosphere in the store. People go to record stores to see free live music and end up making purchases, or they go to buy something and listen to bands they might not have otherwise heard.

“It’s a door that opens both ways, in a good way,” Harrington said. “You go out to it with the right attitude, to support small business ... and you also go out and support local musicians.”

Embassy Vinyl plans to pack the store with new vinyl releases and eclectic live music from Westpoint, Poison Thorn (a DJ set), Spur, Rest, University Drive, Gold Gauze, Old Charades and Worn.

“We’re going to be having live bands here pretty much all day, from noon till when we close,” Harrington said.

Jay Notartomaso, owner of Musical Energi, 24 S. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, said the store is excited about this year’s Record Store Day releases.

“There’s a lot of good stuff this year,” Notartomaso said. “It’s a lot better than the last two years.”

Musical Energi, which has existed for roughly 30 years and began celebrating Record Store Day years ago after transitioning from selling used to new and used items, opens early on Saturday and features live music later in the day. Notartomaso plans to raffle off gift certificates and merchandise, and customers also can expect to find giveaways and discounts on certain items.

Notartomaso urged music fans to “come out and hang out in the record store for a while.”

Nardone stressed the significance of the day, which has turned into a celebration of independent record stores and local music.

“When this started 10 years ago, the number of record stores was in huge decline, and since that time the decline sort of stopped and more shops opened,” Nardone said.

Contact the writer: pshaver@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127

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